NTSB Factual Report

On November 24, 2002, about 1540 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N2937M, collided with an automobile during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on final approach to Santa Paula Airport, Santa Paula, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; two people in the automobile sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Big Bear City (L35), California, about 1430, en route to Santa Paula (SPZ). Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot stated that he had about 30 gallons of fuel on board when he departed Hawthorne, California, about 1200. He flew to Big Bear on the left tank. He flew from Big Bear to Santa Paula on the right tank. When the airplane was on short final, the engine lost power. The pilot pushed the throttle forward, but the engine did not respond. He was at low altitude and was unable to restart the engine prior to landing on a road. He said the engine did not cough, and the propeller was turning.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated he had "plenty" of fuel for the flight and that he had planned to land with "one hour of fuel left." The fuel tanks were checked at the accident scene; the left tank contained 5 to 6 gallons, the right tank contained 1.5 gallons. The fuel selector was positioned to the right tank.

The pilot operating handbook (POH) for the airplane states that during approach and landing, the fuel selector must be checked to ensure it is on the fullest tank.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to follow the checklist and switch the fuel selector to the fullest tank for landing, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power.